Pines Park Above Capistrano Beach

Pines Park in Dana Point/Capo Beach, sitting on the bluff directly above Capistrano Beach Park, is the perfect play place for those weekends when it’s hot inland.

Location of Pines Park in Dana Point/Capo Beach: From Pacific Coast Highway take Palisades Drive across from Capo Beach up the hill and turn right on Camino Capistrano. From the 5 Freeway take the Camino de Estrella exit and drive toward the ocean. Turn right onto Camino Capistrano. (Address: 34941 Camino Capistrano) MAP to Pines Park in Dana Point/Capo Beach

Recommended by: Danielle

Highlights:

Ocean view from the path into the pines – plus the sound of the waves crashing below echoes throughout the park

Beautiful pine trees and surrounding foliage – a great setting for some imaginative play. There’s a little shade tree on the grass right off the bigger play structure.

Fun tunnel slide, climbing wall, and grassy hills to roll down

We walked the path leading away from the playground where you get a peek-a-boo view of the ocean. It leads up to great sunset viewing benches. The water was incredibly blue and I could see Dana Point Harbor and headlands.

It’s a nice place for a dinner picnic or barbecue with a few grills near the picnic tables

Be Aware:

NO bathrooms

No swings

The playground is slightly sunken below street level, so it’s harder to get to the street.

The fences are there for a reason. The fenced off area may be unstable.

Checklist:

Parking on street (only an issue when they are doing road work)

Mostly recycled rubber play surface with little sandbox area near the smaller structure

Comments

Pines Park holds a lot of memories for me. Back in the late 70s and early 80’s when I was a kid, my brother and sister and I and my cousins would stay with my grandparents for the summer in San Clemente. We would always go to two placed often durring our stay…the Jolly Roger Restraunt, which is no longer there and Pines Park. It remeinds me of the happy times of my life! Thanks for this site! The park has changed a lot, but the view and the hills are still the same.

Please note that this park is GREAT for kids AND parents! Especially around 3-4pm, the playgyms become fully shaded from the sun, which means parents can relax from knowing their kids are not getting sunburned. ALSO it looks directly over the ocean! BEAUTIFUL view. We ran into this one by accident, definitely will be going back. You can take a leisurely stroll up the (steep) sidewalk at the opposite end of the park too, or when you’re ready for the beach, drive north a bit (a few blocks) and make a hairpin to the left, not sure what the road is called but it offers a scenic, fantastic view as you descent towards the beach. Restrooms there, clean, lots of parking on the weekend, wonderful place altogether. I really should keep it a secret! But had to tell somebody. 😉

We really like this park and it is often a spot where my north county and San Diego friends like to meet as a half way point. Two small concerns for little ones- the stairs are kinda a major pain in the butt if you have new walkers (I remember trying to keep 4 sets of twins off of them was a challenge) and 2. There is a ladder in the middle of one of the play structures that can be dangerous for little ones. My daughter fell off twice in one visit (you would think she would learn) but luckily she was fine and the floor was kinda padded.